Added in 1990, Kristall carries scientific equipment, retractable solar arrays, and a docking node equipped with a special androgynous docking mechanism designed to receive spacecraft weighing up to 100 tons.
Added in 1990, Kristall carries scientific equipment, retractable solar arrays, and a docking node equipped with a special androgynous docking mechanism designed to receive spacecraft weighing up to 100 tons.
The purpose of the Kristall module is to develop biological and materials production technologies in the space environment. One component of the Kristall is a radial docking port. Originally designed as a potential means of docking the Russian Buran reusable shuttle orbiter, this port is now attached to the Docking Module.
| Module | Mass (Kg) | Length (m) | Max. Diameter (m) | Pressurized Volume (Cubic Meters) | No. of Solar Arrays/Area (Square Meters) | Power Output (KW) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kristall | 19,649 | 13.73 | 4.35 | 60.8 | 2/70 | 5.5-8.4 | Materials production & remote sensing, docking node |